Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-04-15
MRS, DOBBS' "WHIM.'
From the Argosy.

ham. They were very worthy coup
lie, their friends said. That is about
the best people will say OF an elderly
pair if they are not intellectual or
troublesome. Mr.. and Mrs. Dobbs
were neither. Mr.. Dobbs was stout
and commonplace in appearance. and
did not flirt with his neIghbor's wife, or
gamble in stocks, or live beyond his
income. He was hall-marked among
upright men, and was TRUSTEES
for half his friends chill
dren No doubt he was trife
heavy and prosy at times, but these
are drawbacks frequently attendant
upon men OF probity. He certainly
was never tempted by impulses or in
SEPARATIONS OF any sort either to do
wrong or to become witty or original.
Mrs. Dobbs was reputed respect
able and virtuous matron for other
reasons. Imprimis, she had no taste
in dress; neither did she paint her face
or excite the envy and spite of her
female friends by identifying her house,
She was fond of u good dinner OF
n solid English sort, and always
wore black silk or satin gowns.
Her caps were preposterous erections
OF lace, with gilt or steel ornaments
attached; and when she went to the
theater she wore red bernouse. Tru-
ly this couple were left behind in the
race OF extravaganza, frivolity and &C.
centricity. Fashionable folks would
have nothing to say to them; those
who did consider them worth cultivat-
ing explained their status as good,
worthy people," with a compassion
ate shrug or smile.
Mr. Dobbs was Something in the
city," and his big office and
many clerks brought in some.
thing more than II comfortable in
come. Yet he made no parade of
wealth and kept household accounts
strictly. Every evening he returned
home punctually by the6 o'clock train
from Waterloo, carrying his fish bas
ket with HIM. Fish was cheaper and
better in the city than at Clapham
and Mrs. Dobbs was particularly fond
of fish. The worthy Josiah would
not have spoiled her dinner for the
world. She must have her salmon in
season, and her red mullet and white
bait, all in due turn, OF the best. BY
this you will understand that
Mr.. Dobbs was devoted and
domestic. Yet there were thorns
amid the roses of his coniugal
paradise Mrs. Dobbs was now and
again beset by spirits of unrest and
walls caused dear, steadygoipg Josiah
much Inconvenience. There were no
children at Clarence Villa; and per
haps for this reason Mrs. Dobbs had
more leisure for complaint. She prac-
ticed the art oil murmuring with as
steady persistence as a prima donna
her scales. Josiah suffered her dis
contents with more than the ordinary
patience of an exemplary husband.
As years went on Josiah philosophi-
cally gave up wishing for an heir,
seeing his Dorothy had grown
portly and middle aged. He
subscribed largely to the vari-
Gus charities not having legitimate
outlet for his human kindness. A
phloprogenitive organ impelled him
toward ehildren's hospitals Why,
said he, should not his generation
benefit instead of they that were to
come after?
Mrs. Dobbs did not however, view
such matters with equanimity See
ing the undue and unwelcome number
Of olive branches round about other
peoples tables, she resented natures
cruelty to herself. She, therefore,
frowned persistently on Josiah s
philanthropic schemes for other
peoples children. His benevolence
toward orphans, foundlings and waits
and strays was n never-ceasing
cause OF argument and modification
to her. She did not suffer any loss.
personally, from these charitable
deeds. Not wish remained migrant
ed, and checks We're Forthcoming with
cheerful readiness when required She
had her carriage. her servants, her
milliners as she listed. Josiah erected
miniature Cry Palace in his gar
den because she wished to have bana-
mas growing. He took her to Egypt
WV W itibtlt anu ilCttllS dlStt VI seat
sickness by the way, because she had
been reading Eastern romances and
yearned for Oriental glitter. Nothing
that money could obtain was denied
her--only she had no children.
FOR Il long time Mrs. Dobbs had
| displayed no extraordinary caprice.
| Josiah was sailing along in wonderfully
smooth matrimonial waters. But
the lndy's frequent absence of mind
| and contemplative mein might have
| convinced more sophisticated man
| that mischief was brewing. In truth
| Mrs. Dobbs was slowly Matching a
| scheme which she felt sure would run
! counter to Joslah's wishes. This lent
en- additional zest to her plan. She
| considered it retributive scheme. She
| would fight Josiah on his own ground
with his favorite weapon OF benev-
| o.ence.
"rm going to adopt child, Josiah.
| Now it's no use your contradictiue
me, because won't listen," said the
lady one evening over dessert. She
spoke aggressively, cracking the shell
OF a walnut with decision. She peevish-
ly found fault with the fish and the
salad, and had slapped her pug for nc
earthly reason. Ii Josiah had beer
less slow he would have oplned that &
storm was brewing. There was silence
for minute after Mrs. Dobbs hat
opened fire.
4 81,